The BLM movement needs to new name to be accepted by all

[Anonymous]

Luckily they don’t care what you think. If the name is what keeps you from supporting it then you were never going to support it in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a couple of PPs have already articulated well, black lives matter does not mean that all races do not matter. Nowhere in the movement's title does it say "only" black lives matter. Nowhere. Since this country's founding, black people have suffered discrimination and oppression, both at the individual and, most importantly and enduringly, systemic level. Just about every institution that this country holds dear - the police, schooling, higher education, government - upholds the legacy of racism through its discriminatory systems. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. Black lives matter does not mean that your non-black life does not matter (and really, it's not about you and is somewhat insensitive to make it about yourself). It means that at every level of our society, black lives are devalued. It is a cry for equality.

Furthermore, I think it is important to address the notion of white privilege, which can be tricky for some people to understand. This is a concept that takes a good deal of introspection. White privilege does not mean that your life isn't hard, or that you don't face other forms of systemic oppression (being a woman, being poor, being gay, being Jewish). BUT, it means that your race does not make your life harder and that there are certain privileges that come from being white. You are more likely to be hired for a job. You are more likely to be believed by doctors. You are more likely to receive a loan. You are more likely to see people who look like you on TV and in movies. You are more likely to be accepted to college (despite what you might say about affirmative action, which works to narrow a preexisting gap, this is absolutely true, and I don't want to hear anyone try to say that being a URM gives you an advantage in college admissions processes; that statement is ill-informed and frankly racist). And, as is particularly relevant now, you are less likely to be arrested, incarcerated, or killed by the police. Please do not try to say that white people commit fewer crimes. White people commit the same "crimes" for which black people are most routinely arrested and imprisoned, such as marijuana possession. In the eyes of the law, white people are simply given the benefit of the doubt. So, here comes what is perhaps the hardest pill to swallow: all white people are racist. This does not mean that you are some sort of Klan-like figure who hates every black person he sees (although these people still exist). It means that you actively benefit from the systemic oppression of black people. And it is our responsibility as non-black people, and particularly white people, to confront our privilege and do something about it.

So, what can we do? We can educate ourselves - books such as White Fragility, The Fire Next Time, and How to be an Anti-Racist are all good starting places. Listen to black organizers in your community (of which there are countless many in DC) and figure out how best to support them. Engage online and offline. One of the best and most meaningful things you can do is give money; a quick Google search will direct you to bail funds, community outreach programs, and more. Talk to your family members and kids about race. Write your representatives. Go campaign - it is an election year, after all. Sign petitions. Make better hiring choices. Don't call the police because you feel "threatened" by someone who is just minding their own business. Listen to and believe black voices. Read up on your American history, and look at how black perspectives have historically been ignored. Examine some of our cultural imaginaries, such as the idea that the Boston Tea Party was a Patriotic Act of Revolution, but these riots are "thuggish." (Hint: the Boston Tea Party resulted in lots of property loss and was hardly popular with the British and bystanding colonists alike. How do we remember them now?). And please don't invoke MLK's name when trying to criticize these uprisings. As he himself said, "rioting is the language of the unheard." That double standard is precisely why we need to encourage the notion that black lives matter. Because black people are criminalized, criticized, and subjugated as the result of this country's racist history. And why does property damage upset you more than the murder of innocent people?[b] Think deeply about that.

If you're on this thread, you probably have the privilege to do something. Instead of thinking about how much the rioting upsets you, think about what you can do to address the underlying causes. These riots don't happen in a vacuum - they are because black people have been crying out (peacefully often) for people to help them, and still yet they are derided and their oppression continues. This is why they say "black lives matter" and not all lives - because "all" lives do not face the discrimination they do.

Please, I urge you, try to understand what it means for black lives to matter, and what you can do to make it so.

Black lives matter, and too few people know and show it.

Nothing is going to change until white people and black people stop viewing themselves and others as white or black and just view themselves and others as people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a couple of PPs have already articulated well, black lives matter does not mean that all races do not matter. Nowhere in the movement's title does it say "only" black lives matter. Nowhere. Since this country's founding, black people have suffered discrimination and oppression, both at the individual and, most importantly and enduringly, systemic level. Just about every institution that this country holds dear - the police, schooling, higher education, government - upholds the legacy of racism through its discriminatory systems. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. Black lives matter does not mean that your non-black life does not matter (and really, it's not about you and is somewhat insensitive to make it about yourself). It means that at every level of our society, black lives are devalued. It is a cry for equality.

Furthermore, I think it is important to address the notion of white privilege, which can be tricky for some people to understand. This is a concept that takes a good deal of introspection. White privilege does not mean that your life isn't hard, or that you don't face other forms of systemic oppression (being a woman, being poor, being gay, being Jewish). BUT, it means that your race does not make your life harder and that there are certain privileges that come from being white. You are more likely to be hired for a job. You are more likely to be believed by doctors. You are more likely to receive a loan. You are more likely to see people who look like you on TV and in movies. You are more likely to be accepted to college (despite what you might say about affirmative action, which works to narrow a preexisting gap, this is absolutely true, and I don't want to hear anyone try to say that being a URM gives you an advantage in college admissions processes; that statement is ill-informed and frankly racist). And, as is particularly relevant now, you are less likely to be arrested, incarcerated, or killed by the police. Please do not try to say that white people commit fewer crimes. White people commit the same "crimes" for which black people are most routinely arrested and imprisoned, such as marijuana possession. In the eyes of the law, white people are simply given the benefit of the doubt. So, here comes what is perhaps the hardest pill to swallow: all white people are racist. This does not mean that you are some sort of Klan-like figure who hates every black person he sees (although these people still exist). It means that you actively benefit from the systemic oppression of black people. And it is our responsibility as non-black people, and particularly white people, to confront our privilege and do something about it.

So, what can we do? We can educate ourselves - books such as White Fragility, The Fire Next Time, and How to be an Anti-Racist are all good starting places. Listen to black organizers in your community (of which there are countless many in DC) and figure out how best to support them. Engage online and offline. One of the best and most meaningful things you can do is give money; a quick Google search will direct you to bail funds, community outreach programs, and more. Talk to your family members and kids about race. Write your representatives. Go campaign - it is an election year, after all. Sign petitions. Make better hiring choices. Don't call the police because you feel "threatened" by someone who is just minding their own business. Listen to and believe black voices. Read up on your American history, and look at how black perspectives have historically been ignored. Examine some of our cultural imaginaries, such as the idea that the Boston Tea Party was a Patriotic Act of Revolution, but these riots are "thuggish." (Hint: the Boston Tea Party resulted in lots of property loss and was hardly popular with the British and bystanding colonists alike. How do we remember them now?). And please don't invoke MLK's name when trying to criticize these uprisings. As he himself said, "rioting is the language of the unheard." That double standard is precisely why we need to encourage the notion that black lives matter. Because black people are criminalized, criticized, and subjugated as the result of this country's racist history. And why does property damage upset you more than the murder of innocent people?[b] Think deeply about that.

If you're on this thread, you probably have the privilege to do something. Instead of thinking about how much the rioting upsets you, think about what you can do to address the underlying causes. These riots don't happen in a vacuum - they are because black people have been crying out (peacefully often) for people to help them, and still yet they are derided and their oppression continues. This is why they say "black lives matter" and not all lives - because "all" lives do not face the discrimination they do.

Please, I urge you, try to understand what it means for black lives to matter, and what you can do to make it so.

Black lives matter, and too few people know and show it.

TL;DR: Black lives matter doesn't mean that white lives don't. It just means that white lives don't ever face the same oppression that black ones do. And it white people's responsibility to stop that.

+1

But instead if stating it as their responsibility to change it, more like white people Acknowledge their privilege.

Yeah, why don’t you ask some unemployed coal minor to check his white privilege?

You think privilege just means wealth. I can guarantee that if you took that coal miner, gave him a shower, and a suit, he could shadow my stepson all day long and never be asked for ID or followed by security. But as my stepson enters university buildings and condo lobby that he rightfully belongs in, he faces scrutiny and challenges based purely on his skin color.

+1

[Anonymous]

This thread could be a great opportunity to bring new people into the movement. But it seems like a lot of people just prefer to call other people racist instead of trying to explain the movement to someone asking questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a couple of PPs have already articulated well, black lives matter does not mean that all races do not matter. Nowhere in the movement's title does it say "only" black lives matter. Nowhere. Since this country's founding, black people have suffered discrimination and oppression, both at the individual and, most importantly and enduringly, systemic level. Just about every institution that this country holds dear - the police, schooling, higher education, government - upholds the legacy of racism through its discriminatory systems. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. Black lives matter does not mean that your non-black life does not matter (and really, it's not about you and is somewhat insensitive to make it about yourself). It means that at every level of our society, black lives are devalued. It is a cry for equality.

Furthermore, I think it is important to address the notion of white privilege, which can be tricky for some people to understand. This is a concept that takes a good deal of introspection. White privilege does not mean that your life isn't hard, or that you don't face other forms of systemic oppression (being a woman, being poor, being gay, being Jewish). BUT, it means that your race does not make your life harder and that there are certain privileges that come from being white. You are more likely to be hired for a job. You are more likely to be believed by doctors. You are more likely to receive a loan. You are more likely to see people who look like you on TV and in movies. You are more likely to be accepted to college (despite what you might say about affirmative action, which works to narrow a preexisting gap, this is absolutely true, and I don't want to hear anyone try to say that being a URM gives you an advantage in college admissions processes; that statement is ill-informed and frankly racist). And, as is particularly relevant now, you are less likely to be arrested, incarcerated, or killed by the police. Please do not try to say that white people commit fewer crimes. White people commit the same "crimes" for which black people are most routinely arrested and imprisoned, such as marijuana possession. In the eyes of the law, white people are simply given the benefit of the doubt. So, here comes what is perhaps the hardest pill to swallow: all white people are racist. This does not mean that you are some sort of Klan-like figure who hates every black person he sees (although these people still exist). It means that you actively benefit from the systemic oppression of black people. And it is our responsibility as non-black people, and particularly white people, to confront our privilege and do something about it.

So, what can we do? We can educate ourselves - books such as White Fragility, The Fire Next Time, and How to be an Anti-Racist are all good starting places. Listen to black organizers in your community (of which there are countless many in DC) and figure out how best to support them. Engage online and offline. One of the best and most meaningful things you can do is give money; a quick Google search will direct you to bail funds, community outreach programs, and more. Talk to your family members and kids about race. Write your representatives. Go campaign - it is an election year, after all. Sign petitions. Make better hiring choices. Don't call the police because you feel "threatened" by someone who is just minding their own business. Listen to and believe black voices. Read up on your American history, and look at how black perspectives have historically been ignored. Examine some of our cultural imaginaries, such as the idea that the Boston Tea Party was a Patriotic Act of Revolution, but these riots are "thuggish." (Hint: the Boston Tea Party resulted in lots of property loss and was hardly popular with the British and bystanding colonists alike. How do we remember them now?). And please don't invoke MLK's name when trying to criticize these uprisings. As he himself said, "rioting is the language of the unheard." That double standard is precisely why we need to encourage the notion that black lives matter. Because black people are criminalized, criticized, and subjugated as the result of this country's racist history. And why does property damage upset you more than the murder of innocent people?[b] Think deeply about that.

If you're on this thread, you probably have the privilege to do something. Instead of thinking about how much the rioting upsets you, think about what you can do to address the underlying causes. These riots don't happen in a vacuum - they are because black people have been crying out (peacefully often) for people to help them, and still yet they are derided and their oppression continues. This is why they say "black lives matter" and not all lives - because "all" lives do not face the discrimination they do.

Please, I urge you, try to understand what it means for black lives to matter, and what you can do to make it so.

Black lives matter, and too few people know and show it.

Nothing is going to change until white people and black people stop viewing themselves and others as white or black and just view themselves and others as people.

It's not about viewing each other as just people and it never has been. Doing so disregards the blatant differences in the way that white and black people are treated in this country. It's not enough to say "why can't we just get along?" The dye has been cast; racism is this country's original and continuing sin. It's up to us white people to undo that, and a large part of that is recognizing that there are substantive differences between white and black people's treatment in this country.

[Anonymous]

Three white officers and one Asian office killed George Floyd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please hold while I connect you to the marketing department....

perfect

[Anonymous]

Black people can’t have a damn thing for themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Luckily they don’t care what you think. If the name is what keeps you from supporting it then you were never going to support it in the first place.

These protests in support of BLM and George Floyd are occurring worldwide. Not just in the US. I wish I could unsee that video but I can’t and neither can millions of people worldwide. Millions of people are saying I get it now, and one little person on an anonymous internet board who thinks black people are entitled to absolutely nothing, not even their pain, can stop this movement at this moment in time. If nothing else BLM has gained a few more allies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Three white officers and one Asian office killed George Floyd.

I think one was bi-racial. And in crazy dcum land, that means black because Obama was black lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a couple of PPs have already articulated well, black lives matter does not mean that all races do not matter. Nowhere in the movement's title does it say "only" black lives matter. Nowhere. Since this country's founding, black people have suffered discrimination and oppression, both at the individual and, most importantly and enduringly, systemic level. Just about every institution that this country holds dear - the police, schooling, higher education, government - upholds the legacy of racism through its discriminatory systems. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. Black lives matter does not mean that your non-black life does not matter (and really, it's not about you and is somewhat insensitive to make it about yourself). It means that at every level of our society, black lives are devalued. It is a cry for equality.

Furthermore, I think it is important to address the notion of white privilege, which can be tricky for some people to understand. This is a concept that takes a good deal of introspection. White privilege does not mean that your life isn't hard, or that you don't face other forms of systemic oppression (being a woman, being poor, being gay, being Jewish). BUT, it means that your race does not make your life harder and that there are certain privileges that come from being white. You are more likely to be hired for a job. You are more likely to be believed by doctors. You are more likely to receive a loan. You are more likely to see people who look like you on TV and in movies. You are more likely to be accepted to college (despite what you might say about affirmative action, which works to narrow a preexisting gap, this is absolutely true, and I don't want to hear anyone try to say that being a URM gives you an advantage in college admissions processes; that statement is ill-informed and frankly racist). And, as is particularly relevant now, you are less likely to be arrested, incarcerated, or killed by the police. Please do not try to say that white people commit fewer crimes. White people commit the same "crimes" for which black people are most routinely arrested and imprisoned, such as marijuana possession. In the eyes of the law, white people are simply given the benefit of the doubt. So, here comes what is perhaps the hardest pill to swallow: all white people are racist. This does not mean that you are some sort of Klan-like figure who hates every black person he sees (although these people still exist). It means that you actively benefit from the systemic oppression of black people. And it is our responsibility as non-black people, and particularly white people, to confront our privilege and do something about it.

So, what can we do? We can educate ourselves - books such as White Fragility, The Fire Next Time, and How to be an Anti-Racist are all good starting places. Listen to black organizers in your community (of which there are countless many in DC) and figure out how best to support them. Engage online and offline. One of the best and most meaningful things you can do is give money; a quick Google search will direct you to bail funds, community outreach programs, and more. Talk to your family members and kids about race. Write your representatives. Go campaign - it is an election year, after all. Sign petitions. Make better hiring choices. Don't call the police because you feel "threatened" by someone who is just minding their own business. Listen to and believe black voices. Read up on your American history, and look at how black perspectives have historically been ignored. Examine some of our cultural imaginaries, such as the idea that the Boston Tea Party was a Patriotic Act of Revolution, but these riots are "thuggish." (Hint: the Boston Tea Party resulted in lots of property loss and was hardly popular with the British and bystanding colonists alike. How do we remember them now?). And please don't invoke MLK's name when trying to criticize these uprisings. As he himself said, "rioting is the language of the unheard." That double standard is precisely why we need to encourage the notion that black lives matter. Because black people are criminalized, criticized, and subjugated as the result of this country's racist history. And why does property damage upset you more than the murder of innocent people?[b] Think deeply about that.

If you're on this thread, you probably have the privilege to do something. Instead of thinking about how much the rioting upsets you, think about what you can do to address the underlying causes. These riots don't happen in a vacuum - they are because black people have been crying out (peacefully often) for people to help them, and still yet they are derided and their oppression continues. This is why they say "black lives matter" and not all lives - because "all" lives do not face the discrimination they do.

Please, I urge you, try to understand what it means for black lives to matter, and what you can do to make it so.

Black lives matter, and too few people know and show it.

You obviously hate white people.

People are racist or not due to their actions, not the color of their skin or their position on affirmative action.

The people who said less (black lives matter because all lives won't matter unless black lives matter) said way more than you with way less words.

Interesting that a thread about black issues gets hijacked by a preachy white woman telling everyone exactly what they must think.

[Anonymous]

Let’s call it White Fragility Faire so no one feels anything

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about “ALL Lives Matter”?

Let's see: What about "With Liberty and Justice for All?" How's that been going for Black Lives these last 300 years or so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The issue should be police brutality. Look at the statistics.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/585152/people-shot-to-death-by-us-police-by-race/

Great. So if you work hard at that -- it should work out just fine for everyone, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue should be police brutality. Look at the statistics.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/585152/people-shot-to-death-by-us-police-by-race/

Great. So if you work hard at that -- it should work out just fine for everyone, right?

That is your answer. You don’t want to know the truth. You don’t care about anyone outside your cause. There are the numbers, facts nothing more.